 At the time of the Boston Massacre, those calling for rebellion against the Crown represented a mere fraction of America’s population.  Radical Patriots like the Sons of Liberty( a group whose leaders included Sam Adams and Patrick Henry), were calling for immediate independence and war.  The radicals used the incident to whip up popular support and tried to recruit new members to their ranks.  Samuel Adams was the first person to term the incident, The Boston Massacre. Paul Revere did the engraving (picture) that illustrated it.

 Other groups within the colonies had much different views of the Boston Massacre like the Moderate Colonists.  They did not wish to cut ties with England and therefore called for colonists to find a compromise.  There was fear that Parliament would crack down and exert a much stronger influence.  They thought those colonists responsible for provoking the confrontation were irresponsible and feared the King and Parliament would impose sanctions and punishment.

 Many women supported the colonial rebellion and were shocked by the Boston Massacre.  Abigail Adams recounted her feelings about it in a letter to her husband…. “The great anxiety I feel for my country…and for our family renders the day tedious and the night unpleasant…Did ever any kingdom or state regain its liberty, when once it was invaded, without bloodshed? I cannot think of it without horror.” “The great anxiety I feel for my country…and for our family renders the day tedious and the night unpleasant…Did ever any kingdom or state regain its liberty, when once it was invaded, without bloodshed? I cannot think of it without horror.”

Support for England remained largely constant after the Boston massacre In fact many loyalists felt that the incident was the fault of the colonial agitators. Reverend Mather Byles, a Congregational clergyman and Loyalist, made this remark as he watched Crispus Attucks funeral procession: “They call me a brainless Tory; but tell me… which is better-to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away, or by three thousand tyrants not a mile Reverend Mather Byles, a Congregational clergyman and Loyalist, made this remark as he watched Crispus Attucks funeral procession: “They call me a brainless Tory; but tell me… which is better-to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away, or by three thousand tyrants not a mile away?”

 They were disturbed by the implications of the Boston Massacre.  They hoped they could reach a compromise with BOTH parties and felt is was better not to choose sides.  Iroquois Confederacy issued this statement: “We are unwilling to join on either side of such a contest, for we love you both- old England and new. Should the great king of England apply to us for our aid—we shall deny him. And should the colonists apply we shall refuse.” “We are unwilling to join on either side of such a contest, for we love you both- old England and new. Should the great king of England apply to us for our aid—we shall deny him. And should the colonists apply we shall refuse.”

 At the time of the Boston Tea Party, those colonists calling for independence were still in the minority.  Most colonists, however, thought rebellion was inevitable, and so they began choosing sides.  Patriots began staging protests the most visible was the Boston Tea Party which showed their resentment over their lack of representation and as a strong statement for self rule.  Gradually the rebellion became more open and widespread.

 Though Radicals did win over some moderates after the Tea Party, they did not win as many converts as they wanted.  Many moderates condemned the Tea Tax, but they also were opposed to the dumping of tea by the “Mohicans.”  Most moderates were opposed to King George’s policies, they still wanted to seek a peaceful resolution.

 Loyalists felt it was their duty to support the crown.  More an more loyalists became outraged by the acts of rebellion.  They also worried that their property would be damaged.  Walter Dulany from Maryland said this, “ My duty is as a subject: the happiness which America enjoyed under the British government and the miseries to which she would be reduced by an independence are what induced me to join the British army…there are no dangers, or difficulties I would not cheerfully undergo to effect happy restoration.

 Most African Americans supported the revolution.  Many chose to fight for independence hoping they would be granted freedom after the war for their service.

 Women took active roles in rebellion in the mid 1700’s.  Daughters of Liberty founded initially to protest the Stamp Act, organized a variety of activities in support of the Patriot cause.  After the outbreak of war, the Daughters of Liberty helped supply the Continental Army.  Some women helped in the war including a lady nicknamed “Molly Pitcher” who brought the tired, thirsty soldiers water.